State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

Photograph of a wildfire on a hillside burning at night with smoke and nearby houses.

Wildfires

Wildfires are a growing global threat, fueled by the complex interplay of climate change, human activity, and natural factors. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting weather patterns linked to climate change are intensifying the frequency, severity, and unpredictability of wildfires. Wildfires can devastate ecosystems, displace communities, and release vast amounts of carbon dioxide, further exacerbating climate change. As scientists work to unravel the dynamics of wildfire behavior, challenges remain in predicting fire patterns, mitigating risks, and understanding their long-term impacts on biodiversity and human health. Bridging the gap between scientific understanding and practical solutions will be crucial in adapting to this escalating crisis and building resilience against its far-reaching consequences.


Recent Stories


In The Media

No related articles found.

Video

No related video found.

Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday, March 10, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Where: TBD Description: Asia Society Policy Institute & Columbia Climate School Program Asia Society 725 Park Avenue New York, NY 10021 Asia Society Members: $15; Non-Members: $25 Buy Event Tickets Nearly a decade after countries adopted the Paris Agreement and endorsed its goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the average global temperature surpassed this benchmark for the […]
  • Monday, March 9, 2026 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Where: Pulitzer Hall, 2950 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 Description: Perspectives Dialogue Series | “Degrowth vs. green growth: can capitalism solve climate change?” The Perspectives Dialogue Series is a flagship public forum of the Columbia Climate School, created to elevate rigorous, solutions-oriented conversations on climate questions that do not have easy answers. Each Dialogue brings together leading voices with distinct perspectives […]
  • Thursday, February 26, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Where: Center on Global Energy Policy, 1255 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10027 Description: Join us on February 26 for an in-depth, student-only conversation. Registration is required, and space is limited. The Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia SIPA and the Fashion, Energy, and Climate Network invite you to join the first session of our new talk series: Fashion in […]

View All Climate School Events »


Research Projects

Browse Research Projects »